Emmitt Smith spotted in S.A.

By Elaine Ayala Staff Writer

Updated 2:22 pm, Friday, March 22, 2013

Photo: Ashley Landis, For The Houston Chronicle

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Retired NFL runningback Emmitt Smith, right, and his wife Patricia Southall on the red carpet of the 2013 Texas Medal of Arts gala on Tues., March 5, 2013 at the Long Center in Austin, TX. Gene Jones and her daughter, Charlotte Jones Anderson, received the Indiviual Art Patron Award.Ashley Landis for the Houston Chronicle

Retired NFL runningback Emmitt Smith, right, and his wife Patricia Southall on the red carpet of the 2013 Texas Medal of Arts gala on Tues., March 5, 2013 at the Long Center in Austin, TX. Gene Jones and her

In this photo provided by Gatorade, South Grand Prairie High School's Abraham Hall, of Grand Prairie, Texas, reacts after being named the Gatorade National Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year, Wednesday, June 27, 2012, in Fort Worth. Hall was surprised with the news by Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, a former Gatorade National Football Player of the Year. (AP Photo/Gatorade, Susan Goldman) NO SALES

In this photo provided by Gatorade, South Grand Prairie High School's Abraham Hall, of Grand Prairie, Texas, reacts after being named the Gatorade National Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year, Wednesday,

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith reacts after setting the NFL rushing record against the Seattle Seahawks at Texas Stadium on Oct. 27, 2002. Smith will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith reacts after setting the NFL rushing record against the Seattle Seahawks at Texas Stadium on Oct. 27, 2002. Smith will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman (R) and wide receiver Michael Irvin (L) congratulate Emmitt Smith (C) after he scored one of his three touchdowns during the NFC Championship Game in Irving, Texas against the Green Bay Packers 14 January. The three will lead the Cowboys against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, Arizona 28 January. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman (R) and wide receiver Michael Irvin (L) congratulate Emmitt Smith (C) after he scored one of his three touchdowns during the NFC Championship Game in Irving, Texas against

31 Jan 1993: Running back Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates during Super Bowl XXVII against the Buffalo Bills at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Cowboys won the game, 52-17.

31 Jan 1993: Running back Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates during Super Bowl XXVII against the Buffalo Bills at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Cowboys won the game, 52-17.

Photo: Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

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14 Oct 1989: Running back Emmitt Smith of the Florida Gators runs down the field during a game against the Vanderbilt Commadores at Florida Field in Gainesville, Florida. Florida won the game 34-11. Mandatory Credit: Allen Dean Steele /Allsport

14 Oct 1989: Running back Emmitt Smith of the Florida Gators runs down the field during a game against the Vanderbilt Commadores at Florida Field in Gainesville, Florida. Florida won the game 34-11. Mandatory

Retired NFL runningback Emmitt Smith is interviewed on the red carpet of the 2013 Texas Medal of Arts gala on Tues., March 5, 2013 at the Long Center in Austin, TX. Gene Jones and her daughter, Charlotte Jones Anderson, received the Indiviual Art Patron Award. Ashley Landis for the Houston Chronicle

Retired NFL runningback Emmitt Smith is interviewed on the red carpet of the 2013 Texas Medal of Arts gala on Tues., March 5, 2013 at the Long Center in Austin, TX. Gene Jones and her daughter, Charlotte Jones

From left, retired NFL runningback Emmitt Smith, Texas Arts co-shairs Marita Fairbanks and Kelli Blanton, and Smith's wife, Patricia Southall on the red carpet of the 2013 Texas Medal of Arts gala on Tues., March 5, 2013 at the Long Center in Austin, TX. Ashley Landis for the Houston Chronicle

** FILE ** Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson, left, hands Florida running back Emmitt Smith his No. 22 jersey as the Cowboys 1990 No. 1 draft pick is introduced at the Cowboys training facility in Irving, Texas, in this April 22, 1990 file photo. NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith is retiring after 15 years, two sources within the NFL said. Smith, who starred for the Dallas Cowboys for 13 seasons and spent the last two years with Arizona, will make the announcement in the afternoon at the site of the Super Bowl, according to the sources, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. (AP Photo/David J. Sams)

** FILE ** Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, left, and former head coach Jimmy Johnson, center, look on as running back Emmitt Smith, right, speaks at the Cowboys Kick-Off Luncheon in this Sept. 4, 1990 file photo in Addison, Texas. Smitth signed a contract earlier that week worth and estimated package of $5 million ending the longest rookie holdout in the history of the Dallas Cowboys. NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith is retiring after 15 years, two sources within the NFL said. mith, who starred for the Dallas Cowboys for 13 seasons and spent the last two years with Arizona, will make the announcement in the afternoon at the site of the Super Bowl, according to the sources, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. (AP Photo/Lee Baker)

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith smiles during an interview at the Super Bowl XLIV media center Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Smith is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of

Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones, left, and former player Emmitt Smith, right, before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jim Cowsert)

Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones, left, and former player Emmitt Smith, right, before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jim Cowsert)

Photo: Jim Cowsert, FRE

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Former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith has a buss for the bust of himself that will be on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith has a buss for the bust of himself that will be on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Photo: Mark Duncan, AP

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Former Dallas Cowboys great Emmitt Smith, right, poses with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after Smith's enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010.

Former Dallas Cowboys great Emmitt Smith, right, poses with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after Smith's enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010.

Photo: Mark Duncan

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Emmitt Smith speaks during his enshrinement, citing those who were an inspiration for his life and career.

Emmitt Smith speaks during his enshrinement, citing those who were an inspiration for his life and career.

Photo: Ron Schwane, AP

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Emmitt Smith wipes tears from his eyes while giving his enshrinement speech.

Emmitt Smith wipes tears from his eyes while giving his enshrinement speech.

Photo: Ron Schwane, AP

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Emmitt Smith

The Dallas Cowboys great and NFL all-time leading rusher beat out actor Mario Lopez to win season 3.

Emmitt Smith

The Dallas Cowboys great and NFL all-time leading rusher beat out actor Mario Lopez to win season 3.

Photo: ADAM LARKEY, AP

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith flips the coin prior to the start of Super Bowl XLIV between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Emmitt Smith

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith flips the coin prior to the start of Super Bowl XLIV between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - FEBRUARY 06: (L-R) Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith talk on stage after they were both announced as two of the newest enshrinees into the Hall of Fame during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Press Conference held at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center as part of media week for Super Bowl XLIV on February 6, 2010 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - FEBRUARY 06: (L-R) Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith talk on stage after they were both announced as two of the newest enshrinees into the Hall of Fame during the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith reacts to a play during the second quarter.

Former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith reacts to a play during the second quarter.

Photo: Donna McWilliam, AP

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** FILE ** Arizona Cardinals running back Emmitt Smith, (22) takes a hand-off from quarterback Jeff Blake agianst the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter of pre-season acton in this Aug. 9, 2003 photo at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Smith has known LaDainian Tomlinson for a long time. He even has his number in his cell phone. The NFL's career rushing leader is a mentor of sorts to the San Diego Chargers' Pro Bowl running back. He will get a chance to see Tomlinson on Saturday night, when the Cardinals play the Chargers in San Diego. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

TEMPE, UNITED STATES: Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith gives a thumbs up to the crowd as he leaves the field at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona after the Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 to win Super Bowl XXX 28 January. Smith scored two touchdowns in the game. AFP PHOTO/Timothy CLARY

TEMPE, UNITED STATES: Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith gives a thumbs up to the crowd as he leaves the field at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona after the Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers

The company's website notes it has “two core businesses, EJ Smith Construction and E Smith Legacy, a real estate company.” The former specializes in highway development and commercial construction, the website says.

The site adds that the company's mission is “Building Bridges to Open Doors” and that the firm is “already recognized as one of the leading African American-owned bridge builders in Texas.”

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Smith won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys, and was MVP of Super Bowl XXVIII. He shook hands with diners who approached him as he sat in the back of the restaurant Friday afternoon, some introduced by Moore.